Category: Oakland Athletics

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Who will be the leading candidate for first base for the A’s

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Oakland A’s Seth Brown (center) gets congratulations from former A’s third base Matt Chapman after hitting a two run home run back on Fri Jun 11, 2022 at Oakland Coliseum against the Kansas City Royals. Brown is auditioning for a job to start at first base which has been vacated after Matt Olson left for Atlanta (AP file photo)

On That’s Amaury podcast:

#1 The Oakland A’s are looking for a first baseman after the trade of Matt Olson to the Atlanta Braves. One name came up was Seth Brown who has played 200 minor league games at first but only 13 with the A’s.

#2 The A’s are looking at Eric Thames a non roster invitee who played first base with the 2019 Milwaukee Brewers hit 25 home runs. That said he has had Achilles surgery and is 35 years old.

#3 The A’s in Sunday’s Cactus League game started at first base Dalton Kelly who was a Tampa Bay Rays prospect and is 27 years old. Kelly in the Rays Triple A farm club hit .244, 27 home runs and show promise with the glove on defense.

#4 A’s pitcher Sean Manaea has said that he’s trying to ignore all the trade rumors and is trying to focus on getting ready for the season. He knows that he’s on the bubble and numerous teams have expressed interest for his services.

#5 The St Louis Cardinals have expressed interest in obtaining both Manaea and pitcher Frankie Montas. Meanwhile the Minnesota Twins have been inquiring about Montas’ services but the A’s are waiting for the right offer.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead Spanish radio play by play talent for the Oakland A’s on flagship station 1010 KIQI La Grande San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Kaval says until a new stadium plan is in place more favorite players will leave

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Oakland A’s team president David Kaval (center) addresses the media with Ces Butner, president of the Board of Port Commissioners (left) and Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf (right) at a news conference back on Nov 28, 2018 regarding the new Howard Terminal park in downtown Oakland. This past week the Seaport Planning Advisory Commission recommended against the new Howard Terminal ballpark in what is considered a major setback for the A’s (AP file photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry F:

#1 Jerry let’s ask you about some of what Oakland A’s president David Kaval said concerning why the A’s are unloading some of their key players. Kaval said in order to have a high payroll the A’s have to have a facility that’s on the level of a Camden Yards, Oracle Park, Petco Park. At the Coliseum the A’s can’t make that kind of revenue and once the A’s can get that kind of revenue and new park to play in then they can consider a high payroll.

#2 Kaval said that a lot of the players that were traded away, Matt Olson, Mark Canha, Starling Marte, Matt Chapman, and soon to leave A’s pitcher Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea are being dealt to see if the A’s can pick up a good return on prospects and Kaval said it’s no secret that vice president Billy Beane and general manager David Forst have built this team up like this in the past.

#3 Kaval said the A’s have not had a normal season in three years that has impacted the team financially, In 2020 a 60 game season with no fans, in 2021 a 162 game season with Covid 19 restrictions, and 2022 a lockout to begin the season.

#4 Kaval said in not signing the star players and keeping key players not having a new stadium in place holding back the A’s adding that the Coliseum in antiquated and it’s been ten years since it’s life expectancy and in order to move ahead with keeping a higher payroll a new stadium is needed.

#5 Kaval said on the higher ticket prices and key players leaving that everything in dependent on getting a new stadium and that elected officials and fans understand that raising revenue is all riding on getting a new stadium.

Jerry does the A’s podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Daniel Dullum: In a blink of an eye A’s household names gone

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Oakland A’s pitcher Sean Manaea who is being sought by multiple teams is seen here walking off the field against the Chicago White Sox on Thu Sep 9, 2021 at the Oakland Coliseum. Manaea and teammate Frankie Montas are expected to be traded at anytime now (AP file photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Daniel:

#1 It’s been a busy month for the Oakland A’s and the first pitch of Cactus League is today as the A’s face the LA Angels. The A’s with the departures of Matt Chapman, Matt Olson, Mark Canaha, Starling Marte, Chris Bassitt, have gone to greener pastures. Where does this leave the A’s.

#2 As far as the A’s brand goes fans should be familiar with the way the team goes about business when they players value goes up it’s time for a fire sale and time to rebuild no secret in what is happening with this year’s A’s team.

#3 Daniel, the A’s are looking to deal pitchers Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea is this more of the cost cutting moves by Oakland or is it a matter of seeing what they can get for two veteran pitchers.

#4 It was predicted by Baseball Prospectus that the A’s will have the second worst record in the majors second to the Baltimore Orioles. The A’s are predicted to finish the 2022 season with a .407 winning percentage just above the Orioles with .381.

#5 Three veteran players could be the only ones returning to the A’s line up as everyone including former A’s manager Bob Melvin have departed, the remaining A’s expected to return are outfielder Stephen Piscotty, infielder Elvis Andrus, and catcher Sean Murphy is a maybe.

Join Daniel Dullum for the A’s podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Olson the latest to leave A’s in early season fire sale; Oakland picks up four players from Braves

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Former A’s slugger Matt Olson is seen here getting into the swing of things against catcher Tom Murphy (left) and the Seattle Mariners on Sep 21, 2022 at the Oakland Coliseum. Olson was dealt to the Atlanta Braves on Mon Mar 14, 2022 in five player deal (AP photo file)

By Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND–Some are calling it an early fire sale the Oakland A’s might call it a rebuild to going young and getting some value for their former veteran players such as former A’s pitcher Chris Bassitt who left Oakland for the New York Mets.

Household names are sliding off the A’s roster and the latest pitcher Matt Olson is going back to his native hometown Atlanta. The former first baseman is going to the Braves in exchange for two right handed pitchers Ryan Cusick and Joey Estes, catcher Shea Langeliers and outfielder Cristian Pache.

As the A’s get four players for Olson, Olson was selected to the American All Star team in 2021 and hit .271, 39 home runs, 111 RBIs, in 156 games. Olson offensively was part of the heart and soul of the A’s line up during his days under former A’s manager Bob Melvin.

Olson led with on base percentage .371, 101 runs, 153 hits, 35 doubles, RBIs, home runs and walks with 88, 74 base hits, and four stolen bases. While it might not make sense to the average A’s fan that players like Bassitt and Olson have gone to greener pastures of money the A’s have been here time and time again.

This is a rebuild on the part of A’s team vice president and minority owner Billy Beane. He’s back to Money Ball again building from scratch to see if he can get enough veteran and young talent to see if an unpredicted A’s team can break the glass ceiling again and surprise critics and oddsmakers by making the post season. Noted that post season will take awhile but Beane based on his past experience could have one of those unknowns in the works again.

With Cusick, Estes, Langeliers (a number draft choice for the Braves) and Pache you could be assured that Beane has done his scouting report homework and is either counting or assured that this foursome will somehow develop into what his fire sale players were in the past.

It won’t happen over night it took time for Olson, Bassitt, Marcus Seimen, and the soon to be delivered Matt Chapman were on rebuild status but in a season or two maybe the third season you might see one of the foursome of Cusick, Estes, Langeliers, or Pache make some headway.

Jerry Feitelberg is an Oakland A’s beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Popular A’s Players could be Traded

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Oakland A’s slugger Matt Chapman could be on the trade block once the lockout is over along with many other key A’s players (AP file photo)

Popular A’s Players could be Traded

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–As the negotiations continue this week in Jupiter, Florida, between MLB and the MLPA, there are potential trades. These trades cannot happen until the Collective Bargaining Agreement is agreed on by both sides by the owners and players.

The negotiations continue this week in Jupiter, Florida and according to Commissioner Rob Manfred if by the 28th of this month they do not come to an agreement, games scheduled to begin on March 31 (Opening Day) season would be in jeopardy and MLB games would begin to be cancelled every day and taken off the schedule. If the lockout continues.

Some big names are still on the trading block, although not much is happening at this time. Perhaps the biggest name is that of World Champions Atlanta Braves, first baseman Freddy Freeman.

The Braves offered him a five year $135 million contract, but is reported he is looking for a six-year deal. Hard to see how the Atlanta Braves cannot resign him. There still time for the Braves to keep one of their most popular players since Hank Aaron in Atlanta.

As far as the A’s, these established players could be on the move, (not necessarily all of them)  Matt Olson, Matt Chapman, Sean Manaea, Chris Bassitt, Frankie Montás and Lou Trivino. A fire sale?  It could happen, as the A’s are looking to trim payroll and hope to remain competitive with a load of prospects that they would receive in return.

#1 Most probable to leave Oakland: Matt Olson who could is in high demand. If the Atlanta Braves  cannot resign their All Star first baseman Freddie Freeman, Atlanta is a good place for him after all he was born there, 27 years ago.

Another place for Olson, the New York Yankees, who might not be able to keep Anthony Rizzo at first base. Matt Olson ended tied for #5 in home runs in the American League (2021) with 39. Olson has won two Gold Gloves and three Fielding Bible Awards, and was an All-Star in 2021.

Right after the 2021 season ended and prior to MLB lockout on December 2, the Yankees were first to show interest in the slugger, who could be a menace at Yankee Stadium, where the ball really flies to right field.

#2 Possibility: Matt Chapman, one of the best third basemen in the game who has won three Gold Gloves, the Yankees were rumored to seek his services, Chapman defensive reputation is such, that the Yankees brass believe they could even use him as their everyday shortstop.

Other teams include: Seattle, Tampa Bay, Colorado, LA Dodgers and Toronto. However, Chapman is an arbitration eligible player with two more years of control by the A’s. He is due to make a $9.5 millions this season.

#3 Chris Bassitt who enjoyed his best season in 2021 and was selected to the All Star game. Bassitt has been coveted by a handful of teams including the LA Angels, who are still in need of more starting pitching. Bassitt had a remarkable 2021 season.

He got hit in the head by a line drive in Chicago in the month of August, but completed  his best season to date, 12-4, 3.15 ERA in 27 games started, pitched 157 1/3 innings  and recorded 159 strikeouts. Good starting pitchers are not in great supply these days, so the possibility of Chris Bassitt leaving Oakland, in my opinion, is over 50%.

Other possible A’s to depart Oakland via trade: Pitchers Frankie Montás and Sean Manaea. After Bassitt, Frankie Montás was the best starter for the A’s. Sean Manaea is a good strong lefty with experience and he could easily fit on many teams either in the American or National League.

Reliever Lou Trivino is a possibly specially when closer Trevor Rosenthal who signed  a 1-year deal in 2021 for $11 million, required two surgeries and never threw a single pitch for the club, could be ready to pitch this season.

But the biggest news for the Oakland Athletics in this 2022 season remains the conclusion of their search for a new ballpark. The Oakland City Council recently voted 6-2 in favor to certify the environmental impact report for the A’s proposed stadium project at Howard Terminal.

A’s President Dave Kaval mentioned that was as positive step to keep the A’s in Oakland, but also reiterated he is working in parallel plans with Oakland and Las Vegas.

Only in Baseball: It was reported that Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto was offered a 13 year $350 million contract and rejected it. Born in República Dominicana, Soto, just 23 years old, is regarded by many in baseball as the best left handed hitter in the game, last season he ended with a .313 average 29 home runs and 95 runs batted in.

Finally regarding the current lockout: According to Associated Press MLB players would lose around $20.5 million daily for each regular-season day missed. The owners much more than that.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Mayor Schaaf says A’s project will be a positive change for Oakland

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Artists rendition of Oakland A’s new ball park with surrounding offices and retail (image from AP News)

On the A’s podcast with Jerry F:

#1 Jerry how important was the vote for the Howard Terminal project yesterday by the Oakland City Council?

#2 A’s team president David Kaval said the A’s have never been this far and the vote is an important step for the City of Oakland and that the A’s project has never been this far before and that he vote is a milestone.

#3 Now the next step is for the city to negotiate the final terms of the new ballpark, affordable housing, retail, public transit to the park and benefits for the neighborhood.

#4 Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf said that any legal challenge has 270 days according to state law which could shorten any delay.

#5 City Council president Nikki Fortunato Bas who said she wants to see that project delivers the economic and community benefits that Oakland needs. Also city council member Carroll Fife who represents the district where Howard Terminal is located said that the is moving fast. Also residents of West Oakland and Chinatown have expressed concern about traffic in their neighborhoods.

Jerry Feitelberg is an Oakland A’s reporter at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kotsay named new A’s manager; Formerly coached at third base and bench coach

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Oakland A’s manager Mark Kotsay in file photo was hired as the new manager of the club on Mon Dec 20, 2021 replacing former A’s manager Bob Melvin (AP News file photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s have decided on Mark Kotsay 46 to manage the A’s. Kotsay was the A’s third base coach and was the A’s bench coach. Kotsay replaces former A’s manager Bob Melvin who is now managing the San Diego Padres.

Kotsay who played on seven different big league clubs including the A’s was an outfielder hitting a career 127 home runs, 720 RBIs, and hit for .276. The A’s have been a money ball team getting close or getting to the post season but not close enough to get to the World Series in various seasons under Melvin on a small payroll budget.

Last season under Melvin the A’s were just short of making the post season. Melvin managed the 2021 A’s to a record of ten games over .500 at 86-76 behind the first place Houston Astros. There was talk about the A’s hiring former third base coach and former Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington who is now third base coach of the World Champion Atlanta Braves. Washington wasn’t considered and Kotsay was mentioned as the heavy favorite for the job soon after Melvin left the club.

The A’s were mentioned as preparing to not sign a large number of their key players from last season which would change the face and success of the club. The A’s moved outfielder Mark Canha and Starling Marte to the New York Mets and some thought that would be the beginning of the unloading of the team but since the departure of Canha and Marte no significant moves have not been made.

Jerry Feitelberg is an Oakland A’s beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s just might get that chance to get rooted in Oakland yet; 3500 page impact report indication city wants to move forward

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Artist’s rendering of the proposed Howard Terminal ballpark in Oakland (image by the Oakland A’s)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The City of Oakland City Council will take a vote in February to decide on approving a 3500 page environmental impact study after the Oakland Planning Commission takes a January 19th vote on recommending the $12 billion project. A lot hinges on the future of the Oakland A’s on whether they stay in Oakland or not based on the how the Commission and the City Council move forward with what they see in the impact report.

The release of the project report is considered a major step forward for the A’s towards a new 35,000 seat ballpark at Howard Terminal and Jack London Square but also development of 3,000 units of housing, offices to the size of 1.7 million feet of space, retail space up to 270,000 feet, a 3500 capacity entertainment venue, hotel rooms with a capacity of 400 rooms, and 8900 parking spaces.

The hope is to improve Howard Terminal and turn it into a destination, a hot venue spot in downtown Oakland with the crown jewel being the ballpark. The key environmental issues that are of concern to move the project forward, affordable housing, toxic waste removal at the port shipyard, public transit and how to access around the railroad tracks that are in place at the terminal, where parking will be built and how access roads to get to parking and the terminal and how will that get done, and how traffic will impact Chinatown which is just down Broadway Street in downtown.

Oakland A’s team president David Kaval who has made numerous trips since the close of the regular baseball season to Las Vegas and has considered various sites near the Las Vegas strip for a new A’s ballpark if it doesn’t work out in Oakland. Which includes the Tropicana on the strip, Summerlin near the A’s minor league ballpark, or Henderson home of the Las Vegas minor league hockey team the Silver Knights. Kaval has not made a commitment to Vegas.

Kaval did express excitement about the planning commission and the City Council in hopes to move forward with the impact report including the January 19th vote. Kaval called the 3500 page plan an “enormous accomplishment” and feels things are headed in the right direction as the A’s have made it clear that their first choice is to stay in Oakland.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and Kaval have made it clear that the City of Oakland needs to get on board with the A’s if they want to keep the A’s in Oakland and this latest step with the impact report just might be that new beginning.

Jerry Feitelberg is a beat writer for the Oakland A’s at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Las Vegas to host first Superbowl

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

A look outside of Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas home of the Super Bowl for February 13, 2024 as announced by the NFL on Mon Dec 13, 2021 (image by USA Today and Kirby Lee)

Las Vegas to Host their First Superbowl

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Even if the Oakland A’s do not move to Las Vegas, Sin City is well-positioned and on track to become besides a gambling mecca a sports mecca as well. The NFL granted the city their first ever Superbowl on February 13, 2024. Considered America’s number one sporting event, there is no doubt for Las Vegas, this is huge. Aside from the Raiders, Las Vegas is also home to the NHL Vegas Golden Knights.

Pending approval by the NFL owners this Wednesday, Las Vegas will host the 2024 Superbowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium, home of the Las Vegas Raiders, a $2 billion facility with 65,000 seat capacity. But it doesn’t stop there; Las Vegas will also host the Pro Bowl on February 6th and the NFL Draft, April 28-30.

In history, Las Vegas is relatively a new city, founded in 1905 by William C. Clark, owner of three railroads, but it was really a charismatic gangster born in Brooklyn, New York by the name of Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel who had the vision of a place for everybody to gamble where they could stay, eat, drink, gamble, vacation and be entertained.

On December 26, 1946 Siegel opened The Flamingo Hotel, first of its kind in Las Vegas and a new concept began. Las Vegas today is a world destination. Las Vegas had the most hotel rooms among all cities in the US, as of January 2016 with 167,730 rooms, much more today since many other facilities have opened since then.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Major League Baseball officially in lockout; First work stoppage since 1994

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred (left) and Major League Players Association Executive Tony Clark (right) confer during the 2021 World Series at Minute Maid Field in Houston. The two sides met on Wed Dec 1, 2021 for just seven minutes and adjourned as the lock out became official. (file photo from Newsday)

Major League Baseball Officially in Lockout

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

At 12:00 AM (midnight) Thursday, December 2, 2021, owners lockout players after both sides failed to come to a contract of a new CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement). For the first time since 1994-1995 there is a Lockout in the game.

The best news is that this is happening early, with two-and-a half months before all 30 teams report to their respective training camps in Arizona and Florida. The 2022 season is scheduled to begin on March 31.

Without a new CBA, which is the negotiated accord that governs 99.9 % of the working relationships between MLB and MLBPA (players association), there is no baseball, there are no games, and transactions between teams are now frozen. During a lockout, free agency and trades of major league players are not allowed.

To make this clear: A strike is when the labor side (players and their union) puts a halt to operations, while a lockout is when management (owners) initiates the stoppage. In other words; a strike is when the players refuse to work while a lockout is when the owners refuse to permit the players to play. In this case, it is a lockout.

During the past three weeks, teams have spent close to $2 billion dollars in player signings. Max Scherzer, Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Robbie Gray, Byron Buxton, Kevin Gausman, and Javy Baez are among some of the players that have gotten new contracts with new teams between $100 million to $325.

By looking at these signings we would think the business of baseball is doing great. Owners do not pay these contracts, because they are “nice guys”, as blunt as it sounds, owners do not go into the baseball business to be nice, but to make money.

Because many of them want to win and want to hire the best talent available they make these investments. The MLB revenues have increased from less than $5 billion in 2005 to more than $10 billion, during the last pre-pandemic season.

I cannot believe this lockout could go into the 2022 season, but if that happens nobody should be shocked. There is too much at stake here for the game. Aside from this two protagonists (owners and players), there are many others that work in the game of baseball around the 30 major league cities in the country.

They all want stability in their lives, anxiety is considered a disorder and it is not pretty. Teams also like to plan for sponsors, ticket sales, promotions, many peoples livelihood depends on the business of baseball and the majority are not players or owners.

There are many things that both sides are and will have to negotiate for the next CBA contract (usually a contract of this sort last for 5 years). Below are just a few of those:

-Pitch clock (yes, to ‘speed-up’ the game) -Creation of a “salary floor” -Salary arbitration for players after two years, not the three currently. A quicker path to free agency. -Universal Designated Hitter -Revenue sharing (in 2021 a modified, Loan-based revenue sharing was adopted) And many other issues that will not take a week or two to come to an agreement, or maybe it will? We can only go from the previous record of these type of negotiations and it is not a pretty sight.

“Baseball is like a poker game. Nobody wants to quit when he’s losing; nobody wants you to quit when you’re ahead.” -Jackie Robinson.